This archive report was first published on 13 May 2020.
On 29 April, Tanzania reported 509 Covid-19 cases, with 21 deaths. However, the government has not released data on new cases since then, sparking concerns about the true extent of the pandemic.
The US embassy in Tanzania has issued a warning about the risk of 'exponential growth' of Covid-19 cases in the country. The embassy stated that the risk of contracting the virus in Dar es Salaam, the largest city, is 'extremely high.'
President John Magufuli has been criticized for his handling of the pandemic, including his refusal to order churches and mosques to close and his claim that prayers can 'vanquish' the virus. He has also been accused of downplaying the severity of the pandemic and operating in secrecy.
Despite the government's claims that Tanzania is providing leadership in the fight against Covid-19, the country has been widely criticized for its response to the pandemic. The World Health Organization has warned against using untested medicine, including a herbal tonic touted by the president of Madagascar as a cure for Covid-19.
The US embassy has advised Americans living in Tanzania to stay at home and limit interactions with people other than those they live with. The embassy has also warned that hospitals in Dar es Salaam are overwhelmed and that patients may face life-threatening delays for medical care.
